Quote Originally Posted by Mako View Post
Hey thanks for links!

My brother has that book - it sits on his coffee table and mocks me
I'll have to take a closer look at it the next time I'm round and try and pick out a climb to aim for.

That list is really useful, I'm in the midlands so I can check out the ones that are closest to me by car first.
You're welcome. Have fun with that list. I know I would if I lived there!

Quote Originally Posted by Mako View Post
Hardknott Pass looks like a killer You can really get a sense of how tough it is by the blokes upfront struggling out of the saddle, and not to mention all the people pushing their bikes up
Also, his gasping for air on the steepest parts. I've taken a bit of heat on male-dominated cycling forums for my "uncontrolled breathing" on steep climbs, and I always have to remind these skinny people that they are blessed with the increased lung capacity, strength, and faster metabolism that men get without additional training. Us women have to work and breathe harder to get up these climbs.

The guy in the video is in much better shape than I am, so if he has to gasp for air, imagine what I would have to do to make it up that climb!

Of course, those doing the criticizing don't have the balls to post a raw sufferfest video, so the more they whine about heavy breathing, the more I seek out hard climbs to post video of. Some people are waaay too uptight!